很辣
hěn là
The English phrase 'very spicy' is translated into Chinese as 很辣 (hěn là).
很辣 is used specifically for the heat of chili peppers or spices, rather than a general 'spicy' flavor like cumin or pepper (which would use 香).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 很, meaning 'very' and 辣, meaning 'spicy'.
Which one should you use?
While 很辣 means 'very spicy', you can increase the intensity by replacing 很 with 非常 to create 非常辣, which means 'extremely spicy'. For even more emphasis, the colloquial expression 辣得要命 can be used to mean 'spicy to death' and the humorous 辣翻天 can be used to mean 'spicy enough to turn the world upside down'. To describe a playful sense of extreme heat, you can say 辣到不行, meaning 'spicy to the extreme'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hunan, you may hear the phrase 辣得让人欲罢不能, which means 'spicy to the extent that people cannot stop'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To negate the phrase and say 'not very spicy', place 不 before 很 to say 不很辣.
How do you pronounce it?
hěn là
Did you know?
- The word 辣 is used in the term 辣手, which literally means 'spicy hand' but is an idiom for being ruthless or cruel in one's actions.
- In some regions of China, 辣 is used as a slang term to describe someone who is bold, feisty or has a sharp, provocative personality.
- In many parts of China, such as Sichuan, people do not just experience heat from 辣, but also a numbing sensation called 麻 from Sichuan peppercorns. This creates a unique 'numbing-spicy' profile known as 麻辣 that is distinct from pure chili heat.
Examples in context
- 韓國菜一般都很辣。Korean food is generally very spicy.This sentence is useful for stating that Korean food is generally very spicy using 很辣.Tatoeba #801315 by Martha, translation #20812 by keaupuni
- 不是很辣。It is not very spicy.This sentence is useful for saying that something is not very spicy using 很辣.Tatoeba #686984 by peipei, translation #7803014 by sharris123
- 我喜欢吃非常辣的食物。I enjoy eating very spicy food.
- 这个菜太辣了，小心吃哦！This dish is too spicy, be careful when eating!
- 跟我一起吃辣翻天的火锅吧！Let's eat an extremely spicy hot pot together!
- 这个火锅很辣。Zhège huǒguō hěn là.This hot pot is very spicy.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
志强 and 晓雯 are eating at a Sichuan restaurant.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你觉得这个菜怎么样？Nǐ juédé zhège cài zěnmeyàng?What do you think of this dish?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我觉得很辣，但我很喜欢。Wǒ juédé hěn là, dàn wǒ hěn xǐhuān.I think it's very spicy, but I like it a lot.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那你要多喝点水。Nà nǐ yào duō hē diǎn shuǐ.Then you should drink more water.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好的，谢谢志强。Hǎo de, xièxiè Zhìqiáng.Okay, thanks Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
